Thornton Heath: People hit out in company over gas explosion

Neighbors said the SGN gas supplier was not active prior to the explosion (Photo: UKNIP/PA)

The locals told the gas company that they had “blood”. on their hands after fatal gas explosion that killed four people

Sahara Salman dies after terrace house she lived in collapsed because of explosion in Galpins Road, Thornton Heath, in area of Merton, shortly after 7 am on Monday.

Local residents, including Sahara’s mom Sana Ahmad, said gas supplier SGN had neglected longtime gas. problems in in area.

BUT public The meeting took place at South Lodge Avenue, Mitcham, last the night was an opportunity for people to voice their worries.

The meeting started with minute of silence in memory of Sahara who lost her life.

Neighbors reported at least 18 calls. made to the gas company about the smell of gas in in area in days and weeks leading up to the incident.

Martin Holloway, Executive Director director for SGN told approximately 100 residents that the firm was “shocked and saddened” death of Sahara.

He was joined local MP Shivain McDonagh, leader of Merton Council Ross Garrod and Inspector Barry Capper of the Metropolitan Police.

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Four-year- old Sahara Salman died in explosion (Photo: PA)

The explosion devastated many homes on in street (Photo: UkNewsinPictures)

Debris scattered along the road could be seen after the explosion (Photo: Peter Manning/LNP)

BUT public there was a meeting about the explosion last night

At the meeting, he said: “While I understand this is frustrating, given the ongoing police investigation, I cannot speak to what happened.” in in run-up to the explosion.

‘I know it’s hard because people want answers about what’s going on.

He confirmed all history both electronic and paper of all work blown away out by SGN on Galpin’s road will available to the police for their investigation.

He added the company will make a “voluntary gesture of goodwill” to Merton Council.

Then the people reacted in anger at the comments and started yelling at Mr. Holloway, with two residents are walking out scream about how investigation is “whitening”.

People were told they could start moving back in their homes on in street from Friday, subject to sign-off from health and safety Executive (NRU HSE).

The police cordon is still in place on the stage of Galpin Road, Thornton Heath (Image: PA)

There are accusations of SGN running long-time gas problems in in area (Photo: Pennsylvania)

Tribute was left in memory of Sahara Salman (Photo: UkNewsinPictures)

One resident of Keri, who wished only she knows first name, said she was given just 40 pounds to feed her family of seven while everyone stays in hotel.

She screamed, “I called the gas company myself; I called them and you know what did the lady say to me? “Oh we know of it’s honey just bear with us”.

‘I came up at 5.30 in the morning I smelled gas, the smell of burning oil. And I got into a taxi and God forbid there was an explosion and took to me with it’s a taxi.

‘I wearing Another people’s clothes because of this, and you will sit here and say, “Oh, we will come to you, we will do this, we will do this.” What will happen to me and mine family on Tuesday?

Shirley Darmanin reported a gas leak for years.

She said, “It was an accident that was bound to happen, I’m very angry that this poor child died – there was no need for this, if someone had done their job, she would not have died.”

‘There is main a tube in our road and it supplies everything area. Because it’s about to cost a lot of them of money [to fix] They won’t do it, and that’s the whole point – nobody cares about money.

“They said they would come at 11 am. on Monday to bear out repairs and at 7 am it exploded. We’re all shook up out of our bed and ran out in our pajamas building as well as windows shook. It was like bomb.’

Katherine Goodwin, detective the Chief Inspector of the Meteorological Police said: “We are working closely with health and safety executive branch, and our investigation is fully supported by partners and local officers.

‘My thoughts also with those who remain in hospital, their families and all the victims.”

Remains of children’s toys could be seen after the explosion (Photo: PA)

Emergency services arrived on the scene on Monday morning (Photo: PA)

The Merton Council confirmed that the explosion was result of gas leak and investigations remain continuous.

representative for SGN told Metro.co.uk: “It has been an extremely difficult time. for in community in Thornton Heath so it was important for us meet with residents last night. Our engineers have worked on site all week with our client teams who are supporting Merton Council.

“Given the ongoing police investigation, we cannot discuss what happened. in in run-up to the explosion.

‘We know it’s hard as people want answers about what happened, but we work closely together with investigators, including the police, to understand what led to the explosion on Monday.

‘All of us at SGN are shocked and saddened death of Sahara. We express our sincere condolences to her. family.’

Get in touch with our news team by email us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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